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Lewis Music Library Home


Music Classification

Classical

Jazz and Popular

Call Numbers for Selected Subject Areas (U.S.)

Selected Subject Headings (U.S.)

World Music




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Music Classification

MIT's classification system for classical, jazz, and popular music,* discussed in the attached files, has been in place apparently since music cataloging began at MIT, though it was never documented until 1995. The system collocates items first by format and composer, rather than by instrumentation as found in LC's M class for printed music and music literature. However, LC classification is used for scores that are complete editions or collections, and for music literature (primarily books). For details, see the MIT Music Library Guide to Call Numbers. For videos that are primarily performances, the local system is used, while videos that could be considered music literature (including biographies of performers) are LC-classed in M. Dance videos are LC-classed in GV.

*World music has its own unique classification, detailed in the World Music


 

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